Netanyahu Angry over Security Leak, Cancels Meeting

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu dispersed a defense cabinet meeting Wednesday morning due to a leak to the media.

By Chana Ya'ar

First Publish: 9/5/2012, 1:40 PM

Binyamin Netanyahu at cabinet session

Israel news photo: Flash 90

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu dispersed a defense cabinet meeting this morning (Wednesday) due to a leak to the media.

Reports that Netanyahu had dismissed the cabinet altogether were denied in a conversation with Arutz Sheva by his spokesman, Mark Regev.

Nevertheless, Netanyahu from the outset blocked the meeting from carrying out its business of the day on Wednesday, condemning “somebody” who had “severely undermined” the group's ability to carry out its work.

"A short time after the conclusion of yesterday's meeting, a very serious thing happened: a leak from within the Cabinet's discussions,” Netanyahu said in the statement he made at the opening of the meeting.

"The security of the state and its citizens depends on the ability to hold confidential and in-depth discussions in the Security Cabinet. There all the facts are shown, all opinions and all implications.

"This is a basic work tool in management state security,” he pointed out.

"Yesterday, somebody severely undermined the confidence that Israeli citizens give to this forum,” he revealed. “He violated the most basic rules regarding the conduct of Security Cabinet discussions. He also hurt the good name of those present at the meeting who did not leak its contents.

"I have no claim against the media; they are doing their job,” he added.

"I do have a claim against whoever violated the most basic trust needed to hold Security Cabinet discussions on matters having to do with Israel's security, and undermined the ability to hold confidential discussions.

"I am responsible to the citizens of Israel and for the security of the state --- and I adjourn this meeting,” he concluded, thereby ending the discussion.